Recipes: Elderflower infused coolers
Cucumber & Elderflower Spritzer
A delightfully refreshing drink everyone can enjoy.Serves: 4-6
Preparation time: 5 minutes plus 30 minutes steeping
What You Need
1L Rocks Sparkling Elderflower (4 x 250ml bottles)
½ cucumber
4 sprigs of mint
What You Do
1. Use a vegetable peeler to cut ½ the cucumber into ribbons. Put them in a jug along with ½ of the mint leaves and 250ml of Rocks Sparkling Elderflower. Stir the mixture well giving the mint and cucumber a bit of a press to release their flavours. Leave too steep for half an hour in the fridge.
2. Strain the liquid through a fine sieve or muslin and discard the solids. Pour the remaining liquid into a large jug along with lots of ice and the remaining cucumber ribbons and mint. Top up with the Rocks Sparkling Elderflower and stir well.
Elderflower & Raspberry Mocktail
Alcohol-free, but packed with lots of fruity, flowery taste. This cocktail ensures you're joining in the party.Serves: 6
Preparation time: 5 minutes plus 20 minutes to macerate
What You Need
150g Raspberries
1 tbsp icing sugar
1L Rocks Sparkling Elderflower (4 x 250ml bottles), well chilled
Orange Zest to decorate
What You Do
1. Mash together the raspberries and icing sugar, cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes to macerate.
2. Sieve the raspberries to remove the seeds, pressing the flesh through the sieve with the back of a spoon.
3. Divide the raspberry puree between 6 glasses and top up with Rocks Sparkling Elderflower. Peel thin strips of orange zest with a vegetable peeler and drop one into each glass to serve.
Elderflower Strawberry Float
An exciting variation of the classic summer treat.Serves: 1
Preparation time: a moment
What You Need
250ml Rocks Sparkling Elderflower
2 strawberries chopped
1 scoop strawberry ice cream/ frozen yogurt
What You Do
1. Pour the Rocks into a glass along with the strawberries, drop the scoop of ice cream into the top of the glass and serve immediately with a straw and spoon.
Elderflower 75
New take on the classic French 75, now with sparkling elderflower. C'est Bon!Serves: 1
Preparation time: 2 minutes
What You Need
2 tbsp dry Gin
2 tsp lemon juice
100ml Rocks Sparkling Elderflower
150ml Champagne or Prosecco
What You Do
1. Shake the gin and lemon juice with ice then pour into a wine glass or large champagne flute. Add the Rocks Sparkling Elderflower and Champagne then top with a twist of lemon peel.
2. Note: If you have a few edible flowers or a couple of mint leaves they will add a pretty touch to the cocktail.
Elderflower Granita
A light dessert dish or an afternoon treat, this granita recipe comes packed with delicious Elderflower taste.Serves: 2
Preparation time: 2 minutes plus 6 hours freezing
What You Need
500ml Rocks Sparkling Elderflower
2 sprigs mint
1 lime
What You Do
1. Pour the Rocks Sparkling Elderflower into a wide freezer proof container and freeze for 2 hours with the lid on. After 2 hours stir with a fork to break up the ice. Repeat this regularly until the whole thing is frosty ice chips.
2. Chop the mint leaves and stir through the ice then pile into two bowls and serve topped with some grated lime zest.
Cook's tip: Alternatively, after the first 2 hours, freeze overnight then break up the ice with a sturdy fork in the morning. You will have to set about it with vigour, but it will break up.
See more at www.rocksdrinks.co.uk